Essay On MOTHER TERESA
Introduction
The love for humanity is a dominant feeling in a man or a woman. It turns him or her into a truly human being. Love towards mankind knows no boundaries of caste, creed, community or country. The human being who enshrines the feelings of attachment or kindness in his bosom towards others devotes his or her entire life to the service of the humanity. The world has given birth to many distinguished personalities who have served mankind selflessly. Mother Teresa’s name can also be included in their list, on the top.
Birth
Mother Teresa was born on August 27, 1910 in a small town of Yugoslavia, named skopje. She was the daughter of Albanion parents. Her father was a mason (builder). Her name in her babyhood was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhim. Her parents were religious minded. She had chalked out the objective of her life at the tender age of twelve. It was service of the poor and the weak and the helpless.
Life of a Nun
Mother Teresa made up her firm mind to become a nun. She went to Ireland at the age of eighteen. There, she entered the congregation of Loretto at the Institute of Blessed Virgin Mary. She lived and learnt there for six weeks. She was baptised in 1929. From there, she was ordered to reach India.
Life and Activities in India
Mother Teresa sailed for India in 1929. Here, she began teaching in the congregation’s schools and covents. After her continued teaching for two decades, she was entrusted with the responsibility of Principalship of St. Augustin’s Day School for Bengali girls near Calcutta. She made Calcutta her home. She set up Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in 1949. She devoted herself whole heartedly in the service of the poor, the sick, the down-trodden and the destitutes dwelling in the slums of Calcutta. She set up a leper colony in West Bengal and named it Shanti Nagar. She also opened a T.B. clinic, schools, homes and charitable dispensaries for crippled and unwanted children and Nirmal Hridaya. She realised the cries of the suffering humanity. She sought divine inspiration and her conscience urged her to live amidst the suffering poor people in order to serve them in the right earnest. She established the Missionaries of Charity and put her heart and soul in serving the suffering humanity.
She opened a school in Calcutta to teach the children living in the slum colonies. The helpless people got shelter in the Dharamshala Nirmal Hridaya, set up by her near the Kali Temple. Accompanied by her troop of Sisters, Mother Teresa brought the destitutes and the sick people to Nirmal Hridaya. There, they gave them the desired service and treatment. She assumed the title of Teresa on the name of the Saint Teresa, a renowned nun in 16th century.
Service of Humanity
It was Mother Teresa’s firm belief that the greatest problem before the weak and the destitute was not a physical ailment but the want to love, sympathy and charity. Humanity at large, according to her, suffered from the feeling of neglect and unwantedness. It was their sorest affliction or disease. Day and night she busied herself in providing help and sympathy to the suffering humanity. Her deeds proved her a devout Christian and a living testimony of the teachings of Jesus Christ. She was a true symbol of peace and piety. Her residence at Circular Road in Calcutta is known all over the world as ‘Mother’s House’. The organizations of the Nirmal Hridaya Centre are functioning in 120 countries now. This Institution manages 169 academic organizations, 1369 dispensaries and 755 refuges.
Nature
Mother Teresa was tolerant and extraordinarily pitiful. She had a genuine affection and sympathy with the hungry, ill clad and ill fed poor people; patients and the old. She kept herself engaged for 50 years in the service of the helpless and the pitiable women. She strove her utmost to bring light in the life of orphans and invalids. She shared and minimised the sufferings of the sufferers. She belonged to the category of those who practise what they believe and preach.
She was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in recognition of her virtues of dedication, self sacrifice, charity and selflessness. Though she was a Holy Virgin throughout her life yet she deserves the title of a ‘Mother’. She was especially devoted to the service of such orphans who had lost their mothers (Being illegitimate, they were unaware of the identity of their mother.) She wanted the unwanted people and served those who had no one to serve them. She was sympathetic, kind and innocent. She had a healing and balmy tongue. She was a constant flame of goodness. She was a great ray of hope for the desperate people in deep agony. Her angelic eyes were full of compassion and peace for the entire humanity. She was a Messiah for the needy and the naked children.
Death
At the age of 87, Mother Teresa stepped down as head of the order on March 13, 1997 because she was ailing for sometime. She did not survive long and breathed her last on September 5, 1997 at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity. Her death plunged the whole world into grief. Her funeral took place with full state honours. The national flags flew at half mast on state buildings. The Government of India issued an extraordinary gazette to mourn the Mother’s death. Similarly, the Union Cabinet adopted a two-page resolution in order to pay homage to her memory.
Conclusion
The great Mother is no longer among us. She has reached her heavenly abode. However, her sacred halo and permanent influence are to remain with us for all times to come. Her kindness and compassion are the cherished gems which the grateful humanity will not ever forget. We should try our level best to follow the path of service shown by her. The service of the orphans, helpless and ailing humanity alone is the service of God.
Vocabulary
Dominant- prominent, Enshrines- keeps, रखता है। Bosom- heart, हृदय। Distinguished- eminent, विख्यात । Objective- aim, Dwelling- place of living, Slums- dirty colonies, झुग्गी-झोंपड़ी। Destitutes- needy, अभावग्रस्त Ailment- diseases, Sorest Affliction- deep distress, Sympathy- fellow feeling; Piety- purity, Refugees- those who seek shelter, शरणार्थी Agony- grief, दुःख ।
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